September 2017
Riverside
Marsha's
In a perfect world, the experience of one sort of discrimination would prevent other forms of discrimination. But then a perfect world wouldn't need superheroes. Of the bars, bookstores, and cafes of Freedom City's gayborhood in Riverside, Marsha's was one of the few that catered particularly to LGBT people of color. From Sylvia Rivera on one wall to Bayard Rustin on the other, with shelves of LGBT books on one side and a coffee bar with nearby stage on the other, it had the homey atmosphere of a long-attended, long-populated neighborhood establishment. There was a smooth jazz quartet on stage this afternoon as a growing crowd filled in. It was Poetry Night and the coffee was hot, the biscuits were warm, and it was going to be one hell of a night.
Riley Quinn-Smith shifted uncomfortably in his seat, fighting the urge to adjust the black fedora he wore on his carefully-shaved head. His years on Earth-Prime had gotten him used to crowds of strangers, and he had to admit he liked seeing the faces of so many people who, like him, were a little less than whitebread when it came to who they dated. It was what was on the agenda for later that made him uneasy. "This is stupid," he finally whispered to the other boy across the table from him. To the other Riley. The other Riley was skinnier and softer at the same moment, in a black suit and tie that made him contrast slightly with Riley's own purple-plaid shirt and jacket. His goatee was a little thicker and he had a mustache, but the resemblance was striking enough to instantly peg them as brothers. Of course the reality was, they were more than brothers. Duplicates across dimensions, who'd worked out at least some of their differences in the last two years.
"This is stupid," hissed the Riley who was uneasy in his seat. "Nobody's gonna give a damn."
"It's not stupid," said the other Riley, a look of confidence on a dark face that was rounder than his counterpart's but whose eyes were no less intelligent. The noise of the crowd and the music was already such that nobody was giving them a second look. "We wait till it's darker and everybody's watching the show, you swing in and do your thing. Show 'em the T in LGBT."
"Nobody's gonna give a damn," Riley muttered, staring into his coffee. "Shoulda gone out with Robin tonight..."

The Ride Power Level: 10 (150/152PP) Unspent Power Points: 2 Trade-Offs: None
In Brief: A mutant who is equally tough and flexible. Catchphrase: "Get ready for The Ride!" Theme:
Alternate Identity: Ash Parker (Secret) Birthplace: Springville, Alabama Residence: Lewes, Delaware Base of Operations: Freedom City, New Jersey Occupation: Delivery Affiliations: Superheroes Family: Tiny, owner (is a cat). Martin Parker, father. Martha Parker, mother.
Description: Age: 21 (DoB: 1996, February 14) Apparent Age: early twenties Gender: Fluid (he/him, she/her, they/them if you don't want to ask) Ethnicity: Half African-American, Half Caucasian Height: 5'6" Weight: 130 pounds Eyes: Purple Hair: Black
Ash is very androgynous, with delicate features making them look much more softer than s/he is. Ash wears loose fit carpenter jeans and tshirts two sizes too large for them. The Ride wears a black leather body suit and a domino mask.
History: Ash is an anomaly. One born with superpowers in their genetics. Throughout childhood s/he would see it in small amounts. Being 'naturally' athletic and acrobatic. S/He played sports (soccer and baseball), but what s/he really loved was dance. The freedom of movement encapsulated what s/he would grow into.
Ash first encountered their full powers a few years ago, just after high school. A group of bigots wanted to know what Ash's 'real' gender was and attacked. The bigots tackled them down and thought they would remove Ash's pants. A surge of adrenaline hit Ash. S/He remembers smashing and dodging through the bigots until the group was knocked out.
Ash had superpowers, but didn't know why or how it happened. S/He told their mother and father about the incident and they told them that there was a bigger world out there. S/He agreed. Taking the name X at first, s/he moved just out of town and designed a costume. For a few months they acted as a nightly guardian. S/He would take out muggers and thieves and smaller crimes. During the day, s/he would work temporary jobs.
When Ash felt ready, s/he packed up their things and left their small town to go up north towards Freedom City. S/He Didn't go all the way up, settling in Delaware, right across the way from Freedom City. With this new life, double life even. In Lewes, s/he was Ash Parker. In Freedom City, s/he would be The Ride.
Personality & Motivation: Ash is a sensual person. S/He enjoys the finer things in life. Good music, good food and drink. S/He loves to dance. It's like their favorite pastime.
While Ash is particularly open about using their powers out of costume, s/he does not associate their heroic life with their 'normal' life. Ash works as delivery person in their out of costume persona because s/he's pretty fast. In costume, their priority is to protect innocents. Freedom City is a big step up, so s/he has to step up their game!
Powers & Tactics: The Ride is fast and flexible, but also hits like a MAC truck, and could probably take a hit from said truck! The Ride uses their powers to knock out criminals with grace and power at the same time.
Power Descriptions: Well, you really can't describe it other than Runs Fast with Speed. Jumps High with Leaping. Lifts Heavy Things and Hits Hard with Enhanced Strength and Super-Strength. Really Hard to Damage with Enhanced Constitution and Impervious Toughness. Ash and The Ride have no manifestations of their powers.
Complications:
Genderfluid: Ash does not feel comfortable in one gender. S/He may identify as female, male, both, or neither. May confuse or irritate bigots who believe elsewise.
Human, Take Care Of Me: Ash has a cat named Tiny.
No Relationships: Ash believes that s/he can't do that sort of thing in their normal life. Too many people aiming for the big target. It's why s/he's here now, to protect her parents.
Two Lives: On top of having a secret identity, Ash lives a double life. S/He does not hide her powers in her normal persona. Everyone knows Ash Parker is not a superhero though!
Abilities: 4 + 10 + 4 + 0 + 4 + 8 = 30PP
Strength: 14/30 (+2/+10)
Dexterity: 20 (+5)
Constitution: 14/30 (+2/+10)
Intelligence: 10 (+0)
Wisdom: 14 (+2)
Charisma: 18 (+4)
Combat: 10 + 10 = 20PP
Initiative: +5
Attack: +10 Melee, +5 Ranged
Defense: +10 (+5 Base, +5 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed
Grapple: +24
Knockback: -10
Saving Throws: 0 + 5 + 6 = 11PP
Toughness: +10 (+2/+10 Con, +0)
Fortitude: +10 (+2/+10 Con, +0)
Reflex: +10 (+5 Dex, +5)
Will: +8 (+2 Wis, +6)
Skills: 68R = 17PP
Acrobatics 15 (+20)
Bluff 4 (+8,+12 Attractive)
Diplomacy 4 (+8, +12 Attractive)
Gather Information 8 (+12)
Knowledge (current events) 6 (+6)
Knowledge (popular culture) 6 (+6)
Language 1 (English [native], Japanese)
Notice 8 (+10)
Perform (dance) 8 (+12)
Sense Motive 8 (+10)
Feats: 21PP
Accurate Attack
Acrobatic Bluff
Attack Focus (melee) 5
Attractive
Challenge - Improved Acrobatic Bluff
Dodge Focus 5
Evasion
Improved Trick
Move-by Action
Power Attack
Skill Mastery (Acrobatics, Gather Information, Notice, Perform (dance))
Takedown Attack
Uncanny Dodge (Auditory)
Powers: 16 + 16 + 10 + 9 = 51PP
(all powers are genetic and mutation descriptor)
Enhanced Consitution 16 [16PP]
Enhanced Strength 16 [16PP]
Impervious Toughness 10 [10PP]
Array 4 (8PP array, Alternate Power 1) [9PP]
BP: Super-Strength 4 {8/8 PP}
AP: Leaping 4 (x25; Running Long Jump 500 feet, Standing Long Jump 250 feet, High (Vertical) Jump 125 feet) {4/8PP} + Speed 4 (100MPH, 1000 feet per round) {4/8PP}
DC Block
ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT
Unarmed Touch DC 25 Toughness Damage
Totals: Abilities (30) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (11) + Skills (17) + Feats (21) + Powers (51) - Drawbacks (0) = 150/152 Power Points